Comments on: O Gandhi. Where Art Thou? http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/ Taking the Tire out of Satire Sun, 20 May 2012 21:25:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mel http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-136977 Mel Fri, 25 Feb 2011 05:32:58 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-136977 I think Ho chi min summed it up rather nicely when he said: "If Gandhi had been fighting the French, he would have given up non-violence within a week" His philosophy doesn't work. It attempts in vain to appeal to the humanity of the oppressor when the later has none. If the Palestinians were to roll over and play dead, the Israelis would simply run their tanks over them. I think Ho chi min summed it up rather nicely when he said: “If Gandhi had been fighting the French, he would have given up non-violence within a week”

His philosophy doesn’t work. It attempts in vain to appeal to the humanity of the oppressor when the later has none. If the Palestinians were to roll over and play dead, the Israelis would simply run their tanks over them.

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]]> By: Akshay http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6933 Akshay Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:04:50 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6933 I apologize if I offended anyone. You can delete the comment if you wish. But just because a person is a teenager doesn't mean he's intellectually challenged and cannot give objective opinions. And my opinions, I feel are certainly more objective and polite than people who don't bother to read anything but start insulting me just because I'm a teenager. Anyway I'm not coming back anymore. Sorry for the interruption I apologize if I offended anyone.

You can delete the comment if you wish.

But just because a person is a teenager doesn’t mean he’s intellectually challenged and cannot give objective opinions. And my opinions, I feel are certainly more objective and polite than people who don’t bother to read anything but start insulting me just because I’m a teenager.

Anyway I’m not coming back anymore. Sorry for the interruption

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]]> By: Vikram http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6879 Vikram Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:20:05 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6879 You have pointed out two aspects of Gandhi's life and work. One was his pivotal role in the independence struggle (uniting people and temporarily transcending caste, religion and language). I think his work in that arena was made easy due to what and who he was fighting against. There was a 'gair hukumat' (??? ??????), the British Raj, that was clearly alien to all Indians, and was in general contemptous of the natives and their culture. 'Uniting' people against this common enemy was a difficult task, but not as difficult as the task of uniting people when there wasnt a common enemy and the challenge became achieving collective goals that can benefit all or most. And this is the challenge Republican India's political and intellectual elite have had to face. Sadly they havent lived upto it. The other, perhaps more important in a global and personal context, is the political philosophy that he espoused, satya and ahimsa, non-violent struggle. They remain relevant for everybody everywhere. I dont know why some people respond to arguments advocating non-violence by saying, yeah but we should be violent against our enemies. Non-violent struggle is about standing up to injustice without losing self-control, it does not apply in the context of international relations. We continously degrade non-violence, where is this going to lead us as a society ? You have pointed out two aspects of Gandhi’s life and work. One was his pivotal role in the independence struggle (uniting people and temporarily transcending caste, religion and language). I think his work in that arena was made easy due to what and who he was fighting against. There was a ‘gair hukumat’ (??? ??????), the British Raj, that was clearly alien to all Indians, and was in general contemptous of the natives and their culture. ‘Uniting’ people against this common enemy was a difficult task, but not as difficult as the task of uniting people when there wasnt a common enemy and the challenge became achieving collective goals that can benefit all or most. And this is the challenge Republican India’s political and intellectual elite have had to face. Sadly they havent lived upto it.

The other, perhaps more important in a global and personal context, is the political philosophy that he espoused, satya and ahimsa, non-violent struggle. They remain relevant for everybody everywhere. I dont know why some people respond to arguments advocating non-violence by saying, yeah but we should be violent against our enemies. Non-violent struggle is about standing up to injustice without losing self-control, it does not apply in the context of international relations. We continously degrade non-violence, where is this going to lead us as a society ?

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]]> By: amreekandesi http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6862 amreekandesi Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:40:37 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6862 @Akshay - Enough said. Try not to go around offending everybody in sight. Having an opinion is one thing; being offensive to people is a different ballgame altogether. @Akshay – Enough said. Try not to go around offending everybody in sight. Having an opinion is one thing; being offensive to people is a different ballgame altogether.

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]]> By: Akshay http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6859 Akshay Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:12:54 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6859 and :lol:, it isn't about saying a million things against anyone. It's the endless glorification of these people that irks me. I'm not blaming them, the NRIs/IITians don't ask for it. The problem is with us. Today, we are again crowing the achievements of an "Indian-born" scientist without bothering to understand what made him leave India in the first place. Sure it isn't Ramakrishnan's fault. We are to be blamed. And lastly, before you retaliate (:lol:), do condescend to think over the words of this immature teenager: When the Andhra CM died, we conducted a massive search operation for three days. Francis Induvar, an intelligence officer who worked against the Naxalite movement. His decapitated body was found seven days after he died. All I can say is this gives a very good indication of what kind of people we are. Any elder person I say this to says exactly what you did. Teenage angst :| Well if every empowered Indian ignores his duties and indulges in mindless criticism of govt/political organs, and dismisses every comment that calls for proactivity as teenage "rage"................... Please take the trouble of reading properly before getting all worked up :) And lastly, I apologize if my previous comment offended any NRIs. But the sensible ones would appreciate what I wanted to say. Thanks :lol: and :lol: , it isn’t about saying a million things against anyone. It’s the endless glorification of these people that irks me. I’m not blaming them, the NRIs/IITians don’t ask for it. The problem is with us.

Today, we are again crowing the achievements of an “Indian-born” scientist without bothering to understand what made him leave India in the first place. Sure it isn’t Ramakrishnan’s fault. We are to be blamed.

And lastly, before you retaliate (:lol:), do condescend to think over the words of this immature teenager:

When the Andhra CM died, we conducted a massive search operation for three days.
Francis Induvar, an intelligence officer who worked against the Naxalite movement. His decapitated body was found seven days after he died.

All I can say is this gives a very good indication of what kind of people we are. Any elder person I say this to says exactly what you did. Teenage angst :|

Well if every empowered Indian ignores his duties and indulges in mindless criticism of govt/political organs, and dismisses every comment that calls for proactivity as teenage “rage”……………….

Please take the trouble of reading properly before getting all worked up :)

And lastly, I apologize if my previous comment offended any NRIs. But the sensible ones would appreciate what I wanted to say.

Thanks

:lol:

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]]> By: Akshay http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6857 Akshay Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:47:51 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6857 Please vent elsewhere….you are one of those who will say a million things against everyone from an NRI to an IITian and the first chance you get you will take a flight and be out of India and settle down abroad. Duh, I'm not <i>venting</i> myself. I'm just against people who give idiotic arguments against reservations, that's all. And I'm not <i>saying a million things against</i> anyone, I don't like people who endlessly glorify them. Sure the NRIs/IITians don't ask for it. The problem is with us. Because I'm young, I'm immature and stupid, huh? Do take the trouble of reading properly before getting all worked up :) And I never said anything against going abroad. I might for all I know. But if I do, it would be for the thrill of a new experience, and not because I'm frustrated with my nation. (felt like mentioning it here) :lol: Please vent elsewhere….you are one of those who will say a million things against everyone from an NRI to an IITian and the first chance you get you will take a flight and be out of India and settle down abroad.

Duh, I’m not venting myself. I’m just against people who give idiotic
arguments against reservations, that’s all.

And I’m not saying a million things against anyone, I don’t like people who endlessly glorify them. Sure the NRIs/IITians don’t ask for it. The problem is with us.

Because I’m young, I’m immature and stupid, huh?

Do take the trouble of reading properly before getting all worked up :)

And I never said anything against going abroad. I might for all I know. But if I do, it would be for the thrill of a new experience, and not because I’m frustrated with my nation. (felt like mentioning it here)

:lol:

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]]> By: Dinesh http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6766 Dinesh Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:51:53 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6766 There can't be another Gandhi. In fact, people waste time waiting for another "man" to arrive. Gandhi himself said The change begins with you. The best there will be is another person who will be more suited to the current conditions. There can’t be another Gandhi. In fact, people waste time waiting for another “man” to arrive. Gandhi himself said The change begins with you. The best there will be is another person who will be more suited to the current conditions.

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]]> By: saachi http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6743 saachi Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:59:49 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6743 @ Akshay... Please vent elsewhere....you are one of those who will say a million things against everyone from an NRI to an IITian and the first chance you get you will take a flight and be out of India and settle down abroad. So just reflect your inexperience elsewhere in some adolescent corner of the universe where teenage rage is the most discussed issue. @ Akshay…
Please vent elsewhere….you are one of those who will say a million things against everyone from an NRI to an IITian and the first chance you get you will take a flight and be out of India and settle down abroad.
So just reflect your inexperience elsewhere in some adolescent corner of the universe where teenage rage is the most discussed issue.

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]]> By: Akshay http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6737 Akshay Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:33:06 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6737 NRIs? I've got nothing against NRIs. I was just trying to say how ridiculous the arguments against reservations are. Primary one being that IITs and higher educational institutes "contribute" to the nation, and reservations would reduce the "quality" of the graduates, and this would "diminish" the "contributions". The other arguments: a)it's inequality and b)It leads to "brain drain" are so laughable they don't even warrant a reply. That's crap. Whom are we kidding? Neither the IITs/NITs/IIMs contribute much to the nation. They exist to serve the self-interests of their students,a substantial chunk whom who run off to America after availing subsidized education, which people like your driver and my housemaid pay for! I couldn't care less. These people may live where they want. Do what they want. But don't they <i>dare</i> extol their "contribution" to the nation. It's bad because it insults people who truly work for the nation. Like policeman, like the municipal workers we all love to abuse,like our soldiers,and innumerable such examples. We all hear about instances of corruption and etc. Why is the police so corrupt? Why not, I ask. When we're bsy going ga-ga over a bunch of IITians for "improving India's image", while brazenly ignoring the cops' own difficulties and problems, and notably, their contributions, why should they give a damn? "But the moment someone achieves something, he is hailed as an Indian hero. " Ya, that's sort of my point. I find it really disgusting. That we feel proud of "Indians" like Arun Majumdar and Kanna Rajan while ignoring the unknown soldier who died so we could all run our idiotic blogs is a matter of shame, not pride. Disclaimer: I know there are a great many NRIs who contribute immensely to the nation, as there are IITians. But I don't like people crowing and exaggerating the "monumental" contributions of higher learning instis. to Indian industry and science just to argue against reservations. It certainly isn't true. I repeat, I have nothing against NRIs or IITians. It's not sour grapes either :-P NRIs?
I’ve got nothing against NRIs. I was just trying to say how ridiculous the arguments against reservations are. Primary one being that IITs and higher educational institutes “contribute” to the nation, and reservations would reduce the “quality” of the graduates, and this would “diminish” the “contributions”. The other arguments: a)it’s inequality and b)It leads to “brain drain” are so laughable they don’t even warrant a reply.

That’s crap. Whom are we kidding? Neither the IITs/NITs/IIMs contribute much to the nation. They exist to serve the self-interests of their students,a substantial chunk whom who run off to America after availing subsidized education, which people like your driver and my housemaid pay for!

I couldn’t care less. These people may live where they want. Do what they want. But don’t they dare extol their “contribution” to the nation.

It’s bad because it insults people who truly work for the nation. Like policeman, like the municipal workers we all love to abuse,like our soldiers,and innumerable such examples. We all hear about instances of corruption and etc. Why is the police so corrupt? Why not, I ask. When we’re bsy going ga-ga over a bunch of IITians for “improving India’s image”, while brazenly ignoring the cops’ own difficulties and problems, and notably, their contributions, why should they give a damn?

“But the moment someone achieves something, he is hailed as an Indian hero. ”
Ya, that’s sort of my point. I find it really disgusting.

That we feel proud of “Indians” like Arun Majumdar and Kanna Rajan while ignoring the unknown soldier who died so we could all run our idiotic blogs is a matter of shame, not pride.

Disclaimer: I know there are a great many NRIs who contribute immensely to the nation, as there are IITians. But I don’t like people crowing and exaggerating the “monumental” contributions of higher learning instis. to Indian industry and science just to argue against reservations. It certainly isn’t true. I repeat, I have nothing against NRIs or IITians. It’s not sour grapes either :-P

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]]> By: ms http://amreekandesi.com/2009/10/02/o-gandhi-where-art-thou/comment-page-1/#comment-6731 ms Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:15:30 +0000 http://amreekandesi.com/?p=2484#comment-6731 not surprised at all at this fading of LBJ's memory. he is not endorsed by obama! he does not appear on any currency. and i can't blame people when the govt is totally oblivious. this is what historic cleansing is all about. were we discriminatory in 1947? you bet we were. interstate marriages were taboo, jobs were only offered on "son of soil" basis, properties were not sold to "outsiders", money was purified by sprinkling of gangajal when it was handled by "other caste". see, gandhiji would not have had to work so hard at uniting a people that were already united. and who can forget sardar patel and his struggle to keep all the states together? he is not known as the ironman for nothing. hyderabad and its affiliation to pakistan was understandable, but rajasthan and calcutta, orissa and modern-day UP and MP? we have to learn from our past, what worked and what did not. can't ignore it. not surprised at all at this fading of LBJ’s memory. he is not endorsed by obama! he does not appear on any currency. and i can’t blame people when the govt is totally oblivious. this is what historic cleansing is all about. were we discriminatory in 1947? you bet we were. interstate marriages were taboo, jobs were only offered on “son of soil” basis, properties were not sold to “outsiders”, money was purified by sprinkling of gangajal when it was handled by “other caste”. see, gandhiji would not have had to work so hard at uniting a people that were already united. and who can forget sardar patel and his struggle to keep all the states together? he is not known as the ironman for nothing. hyderabad and its affiliation to pakistan was understandable, but rajasthan and calcutta, orissa and modern-day UP and MP? we have to learn from our past, what worked and what did not. can’t ignore it.

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